There must really be a strong message, especially about a new order of global balance and justice."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The 60th anniversary celebrations of the Asia-Africa Conference (AAC), which will take place in Jakarta and Bandung from April 19 to 24, 2015, is a good opportunity for Indonesia to increase its global role.
The spirit of the first ACC, which was hosted by Indonesia in April 1955, was to stand for the freedom of Asian and African countries from colonialism.
Today, 60 years later, Asian and African countries have gained independence and colonialism has been eliminated. Yet, the spirit of the AAC must remain, albeit for different objectives, such as global welfare and progress and world peace and security.
As the host of the AAC, Indonesia can use the event as an opportunity to strengthen its role in promoting regional and international cooperation between nations.
"Indonesia should seize the opportunity to utilize the 60th anniversary commemoration forum of the AAC to lead development cooperation, particularly among the AAC member countries," Professor Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, an economic observer from the Business and Economic Faculty of Padjajaran University, stated on Friday.
According to Armida, Indonesias presence in the world forum should be increased, particularly its role in debates on regional and international issues.
She expressed hope that the Indonesian Government would utilize the event to formulate a development agenda for reinforcing solidarity with the world nations through various forms of cooperation.
The government of President Joko Widodo and Vice-President M. Jusuf Kalla should utilize the opportunity to lead an international movement to develop the world.
"Students Executive Board (BEM) of the Indonesian University (UI) has pinned its hope on the Joko Widodo-Jusuf Kalla government. The government is expected to utilize the ACC anniversary to reinforce Indonesias role and presence in both regional and international forums," chairman of the BEM UI Andi Aulia Rahman said in a press statement issued on Wednesday.
Rahman noted that Indonesia should emerge as the strongest nation in various fields by using the AAC as an occasion to build a more prosperous and just world.
"Through the AAC 2015, we should keep the spirit of cooperation alive. I am convinced this year is a crucial moment for Asian and African countries," Rahman stated, adding that the students of UI are ready to support the implementation of the AAC anniversary celebrations to be held in Jakarta and Bandung.
According to Armida, Indonesia can play a leading role in forging global development through the South-South Cooperation.
She noted that development can be carried out through the South-South Cooperation or through a triangular cooperation between Indonesia and other developing countries facilitated by both multilateral and bilateral partnerships.
Armida pointed out that the cooperation agenda must be concrete and implementable, such as for infrastructure development, for instance.
Apart from infrastructure, cooperation can also be related to various global forums for formulating development agendas.
"The next step should be parallel cooperation offering business opportunities," she added.
Armida stated that Indonesias influence is viewed positively by global forums.
"Indonesia is now an emerging country and is respected by global forums. Its views are heard," the professor added.
Meanwhile, the head of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas), Andrinof Chaniago, said the AAC 2015 can develop business cooperation forums.
"Usually, such a conference will give birth to cooperation forums where business and commodity meetings are also held," he said.
Cooperation will become easier if they find similar ground for engaging in business and economic cooperation," Chaniago remarked at a seminar, "Sound Macroeconomic Policies in Indonesia to Accelerate Growth and Financial Stability," held to celebrate the 11th anniversary of Universitas Presiden in Jakarta on Thursday.
He said the emergence of business forums will be one of the positive impacts of organizing the AAC in Indonesia. The AAC will certainly open opportunities for Indonesia to directly discuss economic cooperation.
Apart from that, the 60th AAC anniversary celebrations will certainly reinforce solidarity among nations grouped in the AAC, increase cooperation in various fields, and facilitate the exchange of experiences.
"Common agenda can be formulated, for example, on how to strengthen the Asian and African solidarity and increase cooperation and share experience," Chaniago remarked.
He expressed confidence that there will be ample opportunities for investment in Asian and African countries because many of them have made significant progress besides expanding to other countries.
"There are many Asian and African counties that have become advanced, such as China. It has made great investments in Africa and others might also have done it. Indonesia and India can also make investments in others countries," the Bappenas chief noted.
Therefore, the AAC is a forum for Indonesia to lead global development with global order and justice.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has stated that Indonesia will convey the need for a new global order and justice at the forum of the upcoming 60th anniversary celebrations of the Asian-African Conference.
"There must really be a strong message, especially about a new order of global balance and justice," President Jokowi noted during a limited meeting that discussed preparations for the AAC 2015 at his office on Friday.
"Speeches or messages should be strong and emphasize the importance of global balance and global justice," the president reiterated.
(T.A014/INE/H-YH/KR-BSR/H-YH)
Reporter: Andi Abdussalam
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
